A New Jersey man was arrested on suspicion of assault following an incident that resulted in a woman suffering a broken nose. According to a news report in The Asbury Park Press, the alleged assault occurred on Chambers Bridge Road in Brick. Officials say the 28-year-old man held his girlfriend and two of her female friends against their will. The alleged victim suffered a broken nose before escaping and calling the authorities. He fled the scene only to return and attempt to resist arrest. He now faces aggravated assault, criminal restraint, and resisting arrest charges.
Under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a), simple assault is when a person “attempts to cause or purposely, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another; or (2) Negligently causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon; or (3) Attempts by physical menace to put another in fear of imminent serious bodily injury.”
Under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b), simple assault becomes aggravated assault when a person “attempts to cause or purposely, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another.” Aggravated assault typically involves the threat of a serious injury or death or the use of a deadly weapon.
A skilled assault defense attorney will typically fight to have an aggravated assault charge dismissed or at least reduced to a simple assault. In some cases, it is also possible to keep the defendant out of jail by fighting the charges or by negotiating for alternative sentencing options.
The NJ assault defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein help New Jersey residents fight these types of charges and keep them out of jail.